Job offer revoked

[fliptheswitch]

Well, it doesn't rain, it pours...

I was offered a job recently, and had a letter from them (stating hours, salary, etc) which I accepted, so I handed in my notice to my then employers.
I've just been sent another letter, to say that "due to unsatisfactory references", the offer has been revoked.
I have contacted them, and they've told me that that both companies I used to work for sent them back a "standard reference" which just stated the dates I used to work for them, position and reason for leaving. Apparently, this is not what they wanted and, due to being "burnt" by the last person who took on the job, they want something far more in depth.
I have contacted both of my last employers, and they've said that's all they can give now, and that's all that most large corporate companies will give. I have tried explaining this to them, but they say their position still stands.
They have even spoken to my last employers on the phone, who have told them this is all they are allowed to now give, due to legal reasons (not sure what that means?)
They have also spoken to the agency (I got the job through a recruitment agency) and they have confirmed that this is all they give, a standard reference.
I have literally spent the past hour on the phone, trying to sort this out, but they have said there is nothing they can do and have revoked the job offer.
I am at my wits end, I just don't know what to do.

[VHG]

>>>due to legal reasons (not sure what that means?)

I think we are back to the problem of getting sued.

Suppose a person's old company, in a reference, says they are, for example, an honest person.

They then start a new job, and go on to commit fraud.

The new company could sue the old company saying "you told us he was an honest person".

So I guess for fear of getting sued most companies now give a bland "the person worked for us for 2 years" and give the dates, but make no more refernece to them being a "good worker" or things like that.

I assume in future most large companies will give bland references.

[MarkRae]

> Apparently, this is not what they wanted and, due to being "burnt" by the last person who took on the job, they want something far more in depth.

They are being totally unrealistic. These days companies don't give anything other than standard references which note start date, end date etc.

[B00]

Could it be they've changed their minds for totally different reasons than what they've given and using references as an excuse?

Very sorry to hear that though, hope you get something sorted. Can you tell your present employers you've changed your mind and stay put for the time being?

[craft1948]

An ex-colleague of mine had this problem as the HR department would only issue a standard reference, they said that the fact she was employed for a fair length of time and was not sacked should be reference enough.
She then contacted her old line manager and he gave her a personal reference which did the trick.

[cheekygirlcarol]

That is terrible. I thought by law companies had to give out references. I have never heard of a company just giving out dates as a ref. That is unacceptable. Go to the Citizens Advice or write to the judge in the sunday mail. Your old employers sound like a bunch of muppets.

[cathfromsaron]

yes that is standard 'don't due us' practice these days, and all any employer is obliged to do!

however a reference from an institution/company is different from a 'personal reference', so why not try to see if they will accept these? or offer to work a month on trial?

[trionam]

I worked for a multinational and they were the same standard references only but this never stood in the way of me getting another position. I think they are being completely unreasonable surely they should have made sure they were satisifed with your references before offering you the position.Sorry I cant offer you a solution hopefully somebody will see sense here best of luck.

[factor-fiction]

Hi cheekygirlcarol- imaybe you've just been lucky but in my experience now (in fact for at least 10 years) has been for written references from major employers to have been just standard ones confirming some very basic details. When recruiting myself i often asked HR department why we bothered getting references and I think basically it was so HR could cover themselves - if the employee turned out to be useless HR Recruitment could say "well their reference was okay... "

A telephone call was sometimes a little more informative.

[cazzz1975]

I think boo may be right, the company know that they are going to receive a standard reference so why its suddenly become an issue is mystifying.

[Prudie]

My company will only confirm dates of employment as references and this has been common corporate practice for a while (eliminating any comeback as already mentioned). The suggestion of a personal referee is the way to go. Also check your letter of employment - does it mention subject to satisfactory enquiries? If not contact CAB or ACAS or someone to help you.

[tonywiltshire]

The offer must have been made subject to satisfactory references. If a reference is not accurate the person who gives the reference may be liable to an action for defamation or negligence, hence the minimum facts are given.
Most employers now only give a standard reference and I am very surprised an offer would be withdrawn because a new employer expected more. Talk to your potential new employer’s HR dept or person who deals with recruitment again.

[Maydup]

Did you get anywhere Flip?

I understand the actions of your previous employers, its common place to write standard references only, but the new employers should realise this too and not predujice you because of it.

I hope you've persuaded them to stick with you.

[DTCwordfan]

Prudie sums this up very well.....

Any chance of them taking you onto a (short) trial so you can prove yourself, flip..? Last thing you need, I know.

[askyourgran]

That is disgraceful flip. My daughter was out of work for almost 6 months she eventually landed a job with a higher position than she had had before, she asked them to confirm the post in writing. Just before she was due to start there they wrote to say that they had allocated her job to someone else, but there was a lower position that she could fill with less pay. Had she not been quite desperate for a job by then, she took it. I told her to tell them to stick it but she needed the job.

[boxtops]

The letter you had offering the job should have said (ours do) "subject to satisfactory references" - I'm afraid I wouldn't have given in my notice until I knew that all was will.

[buildersmate]

Prudie's suggestion is the best idea to try and retrieve the difficult situation that has been foisted on you.
Given that they wanted you on interview and now seemed to have changed their minds for a reason that many on here, me included, think is unrealistic (because there has been a general dumbing down of what employers are prepared to say regarding employment references), I would be moving heaven and earth to persuade them to take you on trial. Point out that they (and you - though don't mention that bit) have absolutely nothing to lose by taking you on.
The alternative is to go grovelling back to your currect employer, say you've made a dreadful mistake and can you come back. Will depend on the light in which you are regarded, I guess.
Boxtops is legally correct in her answer, though pointing it out doesn't help.
If the offer letter did say 'subject to satisfy references' you unfortunately jumped the gun; if it doesn't say it, and you accepted the offer then you have a 'contract' which they have breached - however their legal obligation to damages to you (for breach of contract) extends only to the length of your contractual notice period - between one week and one month, I suspect

[emmie]

I confess i'm speechless, that is more than unfair, and as others have said, is there any way to retract your resignation, or ask your now ex employer, say a senior manager to write you a more personal note.

[fliptheswitch]

Thanks for all the answers. I'll keep this short and sweet, as I'm using my phone...
The offer letter I was given, mentions absolutely nothing about "subject to references", I've read it over and over again, and it just has details such as my start date, hours and salary. I got my ex employer to phone them, and he told them he was happy to give me a reference over the phone, off the record, as it was all supposed to go through the HR department. They told him this wasn't acceptable and that he "could be anyone on the other end of the line". Jesus. Talk about paranoid.
I've since found out today, that I took a couple of large clients from them during the year, which would have been quite a major loss to them. I'm starting to wonder if this was a personal thing. Even the agency have said its not something they've come across before.
If the letter had mentioned the offer was subject to referencing, then there's no way I would have handed in my notice. There's no chance of me getting my old job back, either.
I've got an interview on Friday, but the job doesn't start until January. I'm trying to remain positive, but its very hard right now. Things have just gone from bad to worse...

[albaqwerty]

Get to the CAB flip x

Also when you go to the Jobcentre (as surely you'll have to :( ) take those letters with you. Some of them who work there (not all)can be very helpful.